Life after the Army

There is a lot of work to be done before you separate out of military service. It not only marks the ending of a career, but likely a complete uprooting of your life and drastic modification to your lifestyle.

First off, find your separation date. If you will not be allowed to reenlist you may have one-two years to prepare for your ETS. This will allow you to be well prepared for transition to civilian life. JAG and your local REUP NCO can help you identify the benefits you will be entitled to according to the type of discharge you are being separated under.

Regardless of how you will leave the service (ETS or separation) it is imperative you understand your benefits and immediately begin planning your transition to the civilian sector. The economy is tough. Consider the following questions:

Do your military skills translate easily into a civilian job skill?

What can you do while in the service to acquire additional skills?

Can you attend civilian schooling to improve your chances for success in the civilian sector?

Will you have GI Bill benefits to attend college upon separation from service? If so what is your plan to put this benefit you use?

How much leave will you have at separation?

Are you entitled to terminal leave or permissive TDY?

Did you suffer any medical related problems as a result of your service?

Are there any upcoming job fairs in the area that are relevant to your industry?

Do any local companies prefer to hire veterans? Contact local veterans groups for this information.

Securing your medical benefits

Are your medical problem documented in your records? Sit down and go through your medical records and develop a list of issues from head to toe. Prepare your request for benefits. Sometimes it is a good idea to seek assistance from individuals who have a medical background so they can assist you in determining what your medical records say. Do you have a permanent or temporary profile? If so ensure you have a copy for your records. See a VA counselor immediately to see what you might be entitled to.

Mark is a Retired Command Sergeant Major with 26 years of military leadership experience. He held 3 military occupational specialties (Field Artillery, Nuclear Weapons Tech, and Ammunition Ordnance). Mark is one of the leading military authors in the fields of leadership, counseling, and training..

Disclaimer: Though all content posted on AskTOP.net is reviewed by our qualified subject matter experts, you should not make decisions based solely on the information contained in this post. Use information from multiple sources when making important professional decisions. This is not an official government website.

I always told my Soldiers to never leave the military unless they had a game plan. You can’t just get out of the Army and just wing it. If you do that, you will probably fall flat on your face and be greatly disappointed.

If you are thinking about getting out in the months or years ahead, write down a game plan. It will be well worth the time invested.

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